The story of how the Leafs made a superfan from Alberta's dreams come true
If you're reading this, there's a good chance that you're a die hard Leafs fan. Many fans have their own fan cave that they're very proud of, but few with a collection of Leafs memorabilia like a man named Kurtis from Alberta. If you're on Twitter, you may know him as @leafguy403.
Kurtis has a massive fan cave in his house and is one of the biggest Leaf fans in the world. Kurtis was going to be attending a few Leafs games over the holidays but, unfortunately, COVID-19, changed his plans.
You may have seen Kurtis on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast last night during the Leafs/Senators game. Kurtis was lucky enough to be at the game last night and I was lucky enough to chat with him about his experience at the game and his impressive collection.
LETSGOLEAFS.com: Being from Alberta, what lead to you becoming a die hard Leafs fan?
KURTIS: "I was born and raised in a small town (at the time, it's much bigger now) Airdrie, Alberta. Growing up, we didn't have cable so the only channel we got was CBC, and the only hockey I could watch was the early game every Saturday before bed and that, as we all know, is the Leafs! So I became a fan and many years later the passion just kept growing."
LETSGOLEAFS.com: Describe the events that took place from the game you were going to be at in Calgary getting postponed, to ending up at the game last night against Ottawa.
KURTIS: "It started with the Flames/Leafs game being canceled two days before it was set to happen. I was disappointed but still happy I could see the Leafs in Toronto. I had this trip planned two years ago to see the Leafs. COVID started 2 weeks before my original trip and it got cancelled as the world shut down. I had my plane tickets transferred to credits, but they expire in February of this year, so I booked my trip 4 months ago, when the world appeared to be getting back to normal. Then, 30 days before my trip, COVID struck again and suddenly games were being postponed so I called the airline and Airbnb and both were non refundable or transferable. I was coming to Toronto only to see the Leafs and for no other reason, so I made a post asking for Leafs Nation to help get my story in front of the Leafs somehow.
They roared for me and it's support that I'll never forget throughout my whole life. I then got a message from Dave, the head of PR at MLSE saying he would make sure I was at those games! Then, suddenly the games get cut to no fans, but Dave still said I could go as a guest of MLSE.
The last hurdle was my flight. I booked with west jet and they were cancelling 15% of flights. Yup, mine was lucky enough to be included. I found this out 15 hours before I was supposed to fly out, so I booked a ticket with a different company but they weren't flying out of the nearest city to me. I then had to hop in my vehicle and drive 4 hours on extremely terrible roads to Calgary, as I had an early morning flight. I said goodbye to my beautiful wife and 4 small children and then spent New Years Eve by myself in an airport hotel."
LETSGOLEAFS.com: What was the atmosphere like with such a small crowd?
KURTIS: "The atmosphere, to be honest, was just sad. Half of my excitement for the experience was to drink stadium beer and be with my people in Leafs Nation. To cheers with them and just chat Leafs and everything that's blue and white. I wanted to hear 18,000 strong like me roar when they scored and feel the energy of the most passionate fans in hockey. It was also a once in a lifetime experience as well, as who can say they've seen a Leafs game with no fans?"
LETSGOLEAFS.com: They showed your fan cave on the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Describe your fan cave to someone who may be unaware of it.
KURTIS: "My fan cave is just my love in a room. [Sweaters of] all players I can get my hands on go in there - I don't care if the person is a legend or has played 2 games. I cheer more for the logo on the front than the player on the back. I just wanted to surround myself with my greatest passion other than my beautiful family and that's the Buds. It's a pretty special place to watch a game! I started posting on Twitter about it as I don't get a ton of support where I'm from because it's Oiler country for the most part. Leafs Nation has taken me under its wing and welcomed me like I could have never imagined. Outstanding group of people."
LETSGOLEAFS.com: What is your favourite thing in your fan cave?
KURTIS: "My favourite thing is tough to answer as I cheer for the logo and not the name so I am going with the beer fridge. Who else can say they have a Leafs beer dispenser!? It's awesome!"
LETSGOLEAFS.com: What is your prediction for the Leafs in 2022?
KURTIS: "My prediction is I don't really have one. I don't like to jinx the Leafs so I am just taking it all in day-by-day and enjoying them! I will tell you this however, if they make the playoffs I will be back in Toronto to catch a few games!"
Kurtis is one of many Leafs fans who embodies the passion that this fan base has. He bleeds blue to the core and he is lucky enough to have been able to come to Toronto to catch a game, even if the circumstances were not ideal. He may live in Oil country but he proves that Leafs Nation stretches much further than just the province of Ontario.
A huge thanks to Kurtis for taking the time to speak with me. If you're on Twitter, be sure to follow him (@leafguy403).
